COLUMN: Climbing from “Bama” to Baxter, Maine – The Clanton Advertiser

By Elisabeth Altamirano-Smith/ Local community Columnist

For the final quite a few decades, M.J. “Sunny” Eberhart, age 82, has been the caretaker Pinhoti’s Flagg Mountain. A lot of that have visited Flagg Mountain have appear to enjoy “Mr. Sunny” and the warm invitation he extends to individuals who are in search of respite in character. Found just 20 miles northeast of Clanton, Flagg Mountain is the start of the Pinhoti Trail, which connects to the Japanese Continental Path and the Terrific Japanese Path. Mountaineering has been a passion and significant section of Eberhart’s lifetime. February of this 12 months, Eberhart introduced that he would begin mountaineering from Alabama’s Pinhoti Path to Baxter State Park, Maine starting March 1. The 2,620 mile path will get Eberhart until the conclude of September to full.

Eberhart was an ophthalmologist by profession, but in 1998, at the age of 59 he determined that he was worn out of getting “cooped up” indoors. He always liked becoming immersed in nature and determined to begin climbing. On his 1st extended-length journey, he hiked from the Florida Keys to North Quebec, Canada (a 4,600-mile trek). In 2002, he released the e book “Ten Million Steps” about his 1998 mountaineering expertise in which he also was able to name a new hiking trail, the Japanese Continental Path.

Given that then he has hiked each nationwide scenic trail in the United States and every historic trail (this sort of as the Pony Categorical and Oregon Trail).

Nathan Wright, Eberhart’s Mountaineering Manager, keeps in contact with ongoing problems and updates an on line journal of Eberhart’s milestones on the web site nimblewillnomad.com.

Hikers are usually specified a trail name during their journey. Eberhart goes by the title “Nimblewill Nomad” which was provided to him on account of the city he was originally from – Nimblewill, Ga.

Just about every publish on the web page presents daily updates on the progress of distance created for the day, individuals that “Nimblewill Nomad” has encountered and scenic photographs that he has taken even though on his journey.

“I spoke to him this early morning,” Wright said. “Right now, he has built it to Heflin and has now hiked more than 100 miles. He said that he feels terrific. He isn’t sore and that his reflexes are very good.”

Eberhart is mountaineering with a total backpack which incorporates a tent and every thing he needs to established up camp. Having said that, Wright reported Eberhart will accept kindness from strangers for the duration of his journey and may remain at a resort or with a mate if the chance occurs.

Right after Eberhart’s odyssey, which spans across 15 states, he hopes to return to Flagg Mountain, which is his most loved hiking site of individuals he has visited. DeForest Tuggle is the new caretaker to Flagg Mountain.

To go away a concept of encouragement for Eberhart, stop by www.nimblewillnomad.com. Click on “Journals” and “Leave a Remark.”